Methods and apparatus for minimizing waste disposal space

Abstract

A receptacle is fabricated to be folded prior to disposal to minimize waste disposal space. The receptacle includes a first portion including a plurality of fold lines and having a first surface area. The fold lines permit the receptacle to be folded prior to disposal such that the first portion has a second surface area. A fastening mechanism is attached to the receptacle on the first portion. The fold lines are formed to fold the receptacle such that the fastening mechanism maintains the receptacle in a folded position for disposal.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A receptacle comprising: 
 a first portion comprising a plurality of fold lines and a first surface area, said plurality of fold lines disposed within said first portion and configured to permit said receptacle to be folded such that said first portion comprises a second surface area;    a fastening mechanism attached to said receptacle first portion, said fastening mechanism configured to maintain said receptacle in a folded condition.    
     
     
         2 . A receptacle in accordance with  claim 1  wherein said fastening mechanism comprises a first portion and a second portion, said fold lines configured to fold said receptacle such that said fastening mechanism first portion engages said fastening mechanism second portion.  
     
     
         3 . A receptacle in accordance with  claim 2  wherein said fastening mechanism is integrally formed with said receptacle.  
     
     
         4 . A receptacle in accordance with  claim 3  wherein said second surface area is less than said first surface area.  
     
     
         5 . A receptacle in accordance with  claim 4  wherein said first portion further comprises a planar portion comprising a top surface and a bottom surface, said top surface bounded by a perimeter extending from said first portion, said fastening mechanism attached to said bottom surface.  
     
     
         6 . A receptacle in accordance with  claim 5  wherein said fold lines permit said receptacle to be folded at least twice.  
     
     
         7 . A receptacle in accordance with  claim 6  wherein said fold lines permit said receptacle to be folded in quarters.  
     
     
         8 . A receptacle in accordance with  claim 7  wherein said receptacle accomodates food products.  
     
     
         9 . A receptacle in accordance with  claim 8  wherein said receptacle comprises a plate.  
     
     
         10 . A receptacle in accordance with  claim 4  wherein said receptacle further comprises a wall, said first portion comprising an outer perimeter, said wall extending from said first portion outer perimeter.  
     
     
         11 . A receptacle in accordance with  claim 10  wherein said first portion outer perimeter is circular, said wall extending circumferentially from said first portion.  
     
     
         12 . A receptacle in accordance with  claim 11  wherein said wall comprises an outer surface and an inner surface, said fastening mechanism attached to said outer surface.  
     
     
         13 . A receptacle in accordance with  claim 12  wherein said fold lines extend over said receptacle bottom and said receptacle wall.  
     
     
         14 . A receptacle in accordance with  claim 13  wherein said receptacle accomodates food products.  
     
     
         15 . A receptacle in accordance with  claim 10  wherein said bottom outer perimeter is non-circular, said wall circumscribes said bottom.  
     
     
         16 . A receptacle in accordance with  claim 15  wherein said wall comprises an outer surface and an inner surface, said fastening mechanism attached to said outer surface.  
     
     
         17 . A receptacle in accordance with  claim 16  wherein said fold lines extend over said container bottom and said container wall.  
     
     
         18 . A receptacle in accordance with  claim 17  wherein said receptacle accomodates food products.  
     
     
         19 . A method for disposing a receptacle, the receptacle including a first portion and a minimizing system, the first portion having a first surface area, the minimizing system including a plurality of fold lines and a fastening mechanism, the fold lines disposed within the first portion to permit the first portion to be folded to have a second surface area, the fastening mechanism attached to the first portion to maintain the receptacle in a folded condition, said method comprising the steps of: 
 folding the receptacle along the fold lines;    using the fastening mechanism to maintain the receptacle in a folded condition; and    disposing of the folded receptacle.    
     
     
         20 . A method in accordance with  claim 19  wherein the fastening mechanism includes a first portion and a second portion, the fastening mechanism first portion configured to engage the fastening mechanism second portion to maintain the receptacle in a folded condition, said step of using the fastening mechanism further comprising the steps of: 
 folding the receptacle to align the fastening mechanism first portion with the fastening mechanism second portion; and  
 fastening the second portion of the fastening mechanism with the first portion of the fastening mechanism.  
 
     
     
         21 . A method in accordance with  claim 20  wherein said step of folding the receptacle further comprises the step of folding the container in quarters.  
     
     
         22 . A method for minimizing waste disposal space when disposing receptacles, the receptacles including a first portion and a minimizing system, the first portion having a first surface area, the minimizing system including a plurality of fold lines and a fastening mechanism, the fold lines disposed within the first portion to permit the first portion to be folded to have a second surface area, the fastening mechanism attached to the first portion to maintain the receptacle in a folded condition, said method comprising the steps of: 
 folding each receptacle along the fold lines;    maintaining each folded receptacle in a folded condition; and    disposing the folded receptacles in a waste disposal location.    
     
     
         23 . A method in accordance with  claim 20  wherein the fastening mechanism includes a first portion and a second portion, the fastening mechanism first portion configured to engage the fastening mechanism second portion after the receptacle is folded, said step of folding the receptacles further comprising the step of folding the receptacle such that the fastening mechanism first portion is aligned with the fastening mechanism second portion.  
     
     
         24 . A method in accordance with  claim 23  wherein the step of maintaining the folded receptacles further comprises the step of fastening the first fastening mechanism portion with the second fastening mechanism portion.  
     
     
         25 . A method in accordance with  claim 24  wherein the receptacle includes a planar portion including a top surface and a bottom surface, the top surface bounded by a perimeter for containing food on said top surface, the fastening mechanism attached to the bottom surface, said step of folding the receptacles further comprising the step of folding the receptacle in quarters.  
     
     
         26 . A method in accordance with  claim 23  wherein the receptacle includes a planar portion including a top surface and a bottom surface, the fastening mechanism attached to the bottom surface, said step of folding the receptacles further comprising the step of folding the receptacle such that the first portion of the fastening mechanism attached to the bottom surface of the receptacle engages the second portion of the fastening mechanism attached to the bottom surface of the receptacle.  
     
     
         27 . A method in accordance with  claim 23  wherein the receptacle includes a bottom and a wall, the bottom substantially planar and including an outer perimeter, the wall extending substantially perpendicularly from the bottom outer perimeter, the wall including an inner surface and an outer surface, the fastening mechanism attached to the outer surface, said step of folding the receptacles further comprising the step of folding the receptacle wall such that the first portion of the fastening mechanism attached to the outer surface of the receptacle wall engages the second portion of the fastening mechanism attached to the outer surface of the receptacle wall.  
     
     
         28 . A method for manufacturing a receptacle, the receptacle including a first portion and a fastening mechanism, said method comprising: 
 forming a plurality of fold lines within the first portion, the fold lines configured to permit the first portion to be folded such that the first portion has a first surface area before folding the receptacle and a second surface area after folding the receptacle; and    attaching a fastening mechanism to the first portion, the fastening mechanism configured to maintain the receptacle in a folded condition.    
     
     
         29 . A method in accordance with  claim 28  wherein the step of forming a plurality of fold lines further comprises the step of configuring the fold lines such that the second surface area of the first portion is smaller than the first surface area of the first portion.  
     
     
         30 . A method in accordance with  claim 29  wherein the step of attaching a fastening mechanism further comprises the steps of: 
 attaching a first half of the fastening mechanism to one location on the first portion; and  
 attaching a second half of the fastening mechanism to a second location on the first portion.  
 
     
     
         31 . A method in accordance with  claim 30  wherein the step of attaching a fastening mechanism further comprises the step of attaching the fastening mechanism to the first portion such that the fastening mechanism first half may engage the fastening mechanism second half after the receptacle is folded.  
     
     
         32 . A method in accordance with  claim 31  wherein the step of forming a plurality of fold lines further comprises the step of forming the fold lines to permit the fastening mechanism first half to engage the fastening mechanism second half when the receptacle is in a folded condition.  
     
     
         33 . A method in accordance with  claim 32  wherein the receptacle further includes a wall, the first portion is substantially planar and includes an outer perimeter, the wall extending from the first portion outer perimeter, said method further comprising the step of forming a plurality of fold lines within the receptacle wall.  
     
     
         34 . A method in accordance with  claim 33  wherein the wall includes an inner surface and an outer surface, said method further comprising the steps of: 
 attaching the fastening mechanism to the wall outer surface; and  
 configuring the fold lines such that the fastening mechanism first half engages the fastening mechanism second half.